CONCORD, NH – New England’s largest spirits tasting event will take place on November 12 in Manchester as the New Hampshire Liquor Commission hosts its third annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits.
More than 1,000 consumers will have the chance to sample 400 premium and ultra-premium spirits and cuisine from New Hampshire’s hottest restaurants, bid on three bottles of rare 23-year Pappy Van Winkle bourbon, along with having the opportunity to interact with brand ambassadors and distillers from across the globe. Tickets are on sale for $60 for the November 12 event, which will take place from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Manchester with proceeds benefiting the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire.
“The Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to sample and purchase an unparalleled variety of the world’s finest spirits, learn about the distilling craft and explore the latest brands and flavors,” said NHLC Chairman Joseph Mollica. “NH Liquor & Wine Outlets are known throughout North America for offering the products consumers love at unbeatable prices. What is equally impressive is our expanding selection of hard-to-find wines and spirits and products that are sold exclusively in New Hampshire. This commitment to delivering a vast selection at competitive prices is evident through our annual spirit sales, which increased 3.5 percent last year to $357 million.”
The Distiller’s Showcase was designed to give spirit novices and aficionados alike the opportunity to sample from more than 100 tables featuring more than 400 diverse spirits, including various styles of whiskey, rye, Scotch, tequila, vodka, rum, gin, cordials and liqueurs. Many of the spirits available for sampling and purchase during the Distiller’s Showcase, are spirits that are only available at NHLC’s 78 NH Liquor & Wine Outlets. In addition to some of the world’s premium brands, several New Hampshire distillers like Sea Hagg Distillery of North Hampton, Djinn Spirits of Nashua, Flag Hill Distillery of Lee, Tall Ship Distillery of Dover, and Smoky Quartz Distillery of Seabrook will take part in the Showcase as well.
During the Distiller’s Showcase, customers will be able to purchase spirits at a 10 percent savings through NHLC’s state-of-the-art mobile ordering app and pick up their purchase at any one of the state’s 78 conveniently located NH Liquor & Wine Outlets. Guests can also purchase in advance commemorative Aschutney whiskey glasses, handmade in America by Simon Pearce glassblowers.
For the second straight year, guests will have the chance to bid on three bottles of the highly-coveted and extremely rare 23-year Pappy Van Winkle bourbon. Guests will also have the chance to bid on a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Century, a once-in-a-lifetime whiskey that honors the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra and bottled from only 100 hand-selected barrels. A New Hampshire state flag that flew over the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee and has been autographed by Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett and assistant master distiller Chris Fletcher will also be available for auction.
Past events provided the opportunity to sample limited release BenRiach, Glendronach and ABERFELDY single cask single malt scotch whiskies, and interact with the likes of Chris Fletcher, Assistant Master Distiller at Jack Daniel Distillery, Alasdair Day, owner of Tweeddale Blend, and Elayne Duff, Diageo USA’s luxury brand mixologist. Confirmed participants this year include: Donal O’Gallachoir, co-founder of Glendalough Distillery, Tim Clarke of Polly & Joan’s Cordial Co., Christine Cooney of Heavenly Spirits, and Todd Hardie of Caledonia Spirits.
The extraordinary event, which is expected to draw a capacity crowd of about 1,000 people, features spirit seminars, silent auctions and raffles, and delicious food from many of New Hampshire’s premier restaurants. The following restaurants will participate in Distiller’s Showcase: Amphora, Campo Enoteca, Hooked & Ignite, O Steaks and Seafood/Canoe Restaurant and Tavern, The Fresh Market, The Quill, The Republic, and Wild Rover Pub – with several more set confirm in the coming days.
In the past two years, the Distiller’s Showcase has raised $89,700 for the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire and NHLC expects the event to raise another $60,000 this year. In the last two-and-a-half years, NHLC has worked with suppliers and brokers to raise more than $450,000 for nonprofit organizations making an impact in New Hampshire. Homes for our Troops, the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, Moore*Mart, Easter Seals New Hampshire, Toys for Tots, New Hampshire Food Bank, Granite United Way, the New Hampshire Breast Cancer Coalition and the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire have all benefitted from NHLC’s support.
The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire helps more than 2,200 animals each year find loving homes. The Animal Rescue League will use this needed funding to support general operating expenses, as 72% of the League’s operating budget goes to general animal care and medical expenses.
The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is encouraging guests to imbibe responsibly and will feature a Brown-Forman social responsibility area. The Radisson Hotel Manchester is offering a special “sip and stay” package and a safe ride home program from Grace Limousine. Visit distillersshowcase.com for more information.
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